Separate adjustable leg for a ladder



11111.26, 1965 L. E. T'RUMPOLT ETAL 3,161,153

SEPARATE ADJUSTABLE LEG FOR A LADDER Filed April 22, 1963 lz/ "M I l mvENToRs 1e H. 34 LEwls E. TRuMPoLT 54 32 30 FRANKLIN J. TRUMPOLT ATTORNEY United States Patent O T 3,167,153 SEPARATE ADJUSTABLE LEG F9134 A LADDER Lewis E. Trnmpelt and Franklin i. Trnmpoit, both of 8 Marjorie St., Hudson, Mass. Filed Apr. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 274,663 1 Claim. (Cl. 132-204) This invention relates to a leveling device for ladders so that the ladder can be rmly set on uneven ground, stairways, etc., and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a separate adjustable and extensible leg device for the purpose described comprising a pair of separate channels which face each other and are adapted to grip the side rail of the ladder in adjusted position thereon, the invention particularly residing in the vspecific construction of means causing said channels to approach each other and grip the side rail.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of removable ladder leg supporting means comprising pins which extend across from one channel to the other, one pin supporting the ladder rail at its lower end and other pins being utilized to provide for closely engaging ladder rails of a width less than that of the clamping members, so that the device can be used with wooden ladders and metal ladders as well.

The invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the appended claim.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. l is a view in side elevation showing the device in position, parts being cut away and in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation, looking in the direction of arrow 2, parts being broken away and in section, and

FIG. 3 is Ian enlarged View in section, taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

This invention contemplates the provision of a pair of opposite but similar complementary side members in the forms of channels, these being indicated generally by the reference numerals and 12. The sections of these channels is clearly shown in FlG. 3 where it is seen that each channel comprises relatively long legs 14, 16, short legs 18, and connecting base members 22, 24. The channels are Iarranged wi-th their open sides facing each other with the long legs and short legs aligned respectively. These channels are just about of a size to receive and hold the ordinary side rail of a wooden ladder between them.

Connecting the long legs of the channels there are provided two spaced pairs of interpivoted links. These links are indicated at 26, 28 and 30, 32. Each link is pivoted to its respective channel member, these pivots all being identified by the reference numeral 34 and interpivoted as by a rivet or the like at 36.

O-n each rivet 36 there is provided a ring 33 which is in the nature of an eye having a threaded leg 40. These legs 40 extend toward each other and form integral parts of a turnbuckle including the elongated open nut body portion 42 having tapped end openings for receiving the legs 40. This turnbuckle operates in the usual manner and when the nut member 42 is rotated, the threaded legs 3,157,153 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 ICC 40 are drawn in or out to spread or contract the respective links 26, 23 and 30 and 32. This action in turn causes the channels to be drawn toward each other to clamp the ladder rail 44 or moved oppositely to release it.

The turnbuckle is conveniently turned by means of any kind of pin or pick. There are lthree pins illustrated herein. Cne pin 46 which is anchored by a chain to a button d8 is ladapted to be selectively thrust in holes 50 in the bottom members 22 and 24 of the two channel members, extending across the same and underlying the lower end of the ladder to support it until it is rmly clamped and also to act las a safety device preventing the rail from descending any further in case of accident.

There are two other pins 58 which are located in correspending holes in the channels, these pins being located at one side of a central plane (see FlG. 3) through the respective channels and as shown they provide a sidewise support for the rail of a metal ladder. Pins 48 may be removed when using the device for a wooden ladder which has a thicker rail.

This invention provides a device of the class described which is relatively lightweight and inexpensive. It has a wide range of adjustment and will encompass substantially any ladder rail. It can be adjustable along the ladder rail, depending upon the slope to which it is `to be applied and it can accommodate either wooden or metal ladders as stated. It provides an extremely safe and eifective means preventing accidents in cases where a ladder has to be set in situations where the ends of the legs cannot be mounted on copl-anar supports.

This application is a continuation-impart of our prior application Serial No. 204,491 led by us on June 22, 1962, now Patent No. 3,089,563.

Having thus described our invention and the advantages thereof, we do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claim, but whatwe claim is:

A separate detachable unit providing an extensible safety leg for a ladder, said unit comprising a pair of channel members, means holding the channel members in facing relationship to grip the side rail of a ladder therebetween, said means comprising two spaced pairs of interpivoted links, each link of each pair being individually pivoted to a part of its respective channel member, said links extending toward each other, a right-hand elongated threaded member pivotally associated with one pair of links adjacent the point Where they are interpivoted, a left-hand similar member pivoted to the other of the pair of links, and means forming an elongated nut threadedly receiving said screw-threaded members whereby rotation of said nut will longitudinally move the threaded members to spread or selectively contract said links and thereby said channel members.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 770,637 Grifen et al Sept. 20, 1904 809,057 Hester Jan. 2, 1906 2,392,527 Divil Jan. 8, 1946 2,408,372 Chase Oct. 1, 1946 2,567,989 Cheek Sept. 18, 1951 3,042,144 Larson July 3, 1962 

